PCUBED
Managing Complexity, Simply.

Insight No.15 : Jun 2010PPM : Fit the work first and let the tools fit the worker

As research firm Gartner is espousing and enterprises are learning, project management success increasingly hinges on making "the approach fit the work and the tools fit the worker." As this set of articles illustrates, rather than forcing an operation to squeeze into the parameters of a predefined set of project and portfolio management (PPM) practices, leading organizations have come to understand the value of simple goals, "light touch" governance, input from resource managers on the front line, and careful selection of the software used to streamline reporting and communication.

Light-Touch Light-Governance Project Management in Public Art

Mark SorrellFor almost a year, Pcubed's Mark Sorrell has been working as a project manager with a small team of experts in the art world in an endeavor unlike any other he's ever been involved with. What he has learned in the process has called into question many of the hardened project management practices he's worked to perfect in other industries. Mark refers to this new approach as "light touch, light governance PM." It requires no special tools beyond the ones you probably already have on your computer. And it works with people who don't want to become project management experts. Read article ›

Also read:
"No, Thanks! The Five Objections You Hear about Portfolio Management (and How to Overcome Them)"
Pcubed's Martin Wolf provides counterpoints to help persuade top management to reconsider the value portfolio management offers to the organization. Read article ›

Helping Grow PPM Maturity: An Organic Approach

Nick MillerWhen Pcubed's Nick Miller joined a project team in the IT division of a global investment bank, he was shocked to discover just how immature the project management practices were of the broader organization being served. In this article he shares lessons learned in how to implement PPM in an environment where people are ill-prepared to change their processes or tools and are skeptical that the effort will even succeed or have any value. Read article ›

The Resource Manager: Missing Link in Portfolio Management

Peter HeinrichMost companies don't systematically ask the resource managers - line or functional managers - about the availability of resources and skills to support projects in the portfolio. These resource managers are the individuals who have broad responsibilities in areas such as HR, technical competency, and balancing project and non-project demand. As Peter Heinrich with Pcubed partner PDWare explains, without this missing ingredient, portfolio planning ultimately has little credibility. He also offers a solution. Read article ›

Trends Influencing Portfolio Management

Shan RajegopalAt one time IT decisions were based on what IT demanded or felt would add value to the organization. Now IT has become the backbone that can make or break a company. Consequently, the demand by strategic leaders and stakeholders from the business side to gain a clear view of the “state of the union” has catapulted the rise of the PPM market. In this article Pcubed's Shan Rajegopal examines why so many organizations in a multitude of industries are prime candidates for tapping into the power of PPM. Read article ›


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Case Studies

Events

Jun 17Nuclear Industry Forum, Hallam Conference Centre, London UK
Jun 20APMG-International Showcase UK, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London UK
Jun 25Get a grip on cost and complexity, Millennium Bridge House, London UK
Jun 26PMO Symposium, Cologne, Germany
Aug (TBD)Webcast: "Drive Innovation & Portfolio Management through Social Business Solutions", On-line Webcast
Sep 08Executing Inspiration Panel Discussion, GIL event in Silicon Valley, San Jose, California, USA
Nov 08Synergy 2013, Westminster, London UK

News

Insight Bulletins 2013 ›

Insight Bulletins 2012 ›

Insight Bulletins 2011 ›

Insight Bulletins 2010 ›

22 : Dec 2010 ›
Business Outlook 2011 : The Year for Outstanding Leadership
21 : Nov 2010 ›
Financial Services : Changing for the better
20 : Oct 2010 ›
Super-Structure : Reigning in PMO Proliferation
19 : Sep 2010 ›
Why You Need to Take Hold of the Cloud
18 : Aug 2010 ›
People and Projects : Managing Change
17 : Jul 2010 ›
Power Project : Building a Better Business Case
16 : Jul 2010 ›
Fixing What's Broken: Warranty Management
15 : Jun 2010 ›
PPM : Fit the work first and let the tools fit the worker
14 : May 2010 ›
Scaling Microsoft Project 2010 Step by Step
13 : Apr 2010 ›
Breakaway Results : Transforming the IT Structure
12 : Mar 2010 ›
Project Portfolio Management : Scoring Big with Quick Wins
11 : Feb 2010 ›
Building Buzz : Inspiring Innovation in Your Organization
10 : Jan 2010 ›
Standing Out from the Crowd : Effective Resource Management

Insight Bulletins 2009 ›

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